Bethalto police investigate hidden cameras at Zion church

BETHALTO — On Christmas Eve police arrested and later released an adult male member of Zion Lutheran Church after clergy and staff reported multiple surreptitious and unauthorized cameras in the church, Bethalto Police Chief Gregory Smock said Monday afternoon in a news release.

Between Dec. 24 and Sunday, Jan. 3, the Bethalto police and Zion administration and staff conducted multiple searches of Zion Lutheran Church and Zion Lutheran School. They discovered no further suspect items. Though it is not known if this was an isolated incident, all victims of the unlawful recording from Dec. 24 have been contacted.

The adult male member of Zion Lutheran Church was taken into custody on Dec. 24 as a subject of this investigation. He was later released pending charges. This investigation is ongoing, Smock said.